Tropical Storm Arthur threatens holiday

By Matthew Adkins - Matthew.Adkins@JDNews.com

Published: Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at 11:06 AM.

A low pressure system brewing off the Florida coast has developed into the first named storm of the year — and is forecast to make the Fourth of July a wet one along the North Carolina coast, meteorologists say.

The storm is predicted by multiple models to travel north along the coast and possibly reach Eastern North Carolina by Thursday or Friday. But NOAA Meteorologist Brian Cullen cautions there is “a lot of uncertainty” with the system.

“Trends show the storm will come north in the middle of the week,” Cullen said. “We may see some impacts here in Eastern North Carolina Thursday or Friday.”

Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department Chief Gregg Jeppson has experience with emergency storm situations and advises people to pay attention to the latest forecast and prepare early for adverse weather.

“We are not sure of the current conditions of the storm right now, but we recommend people secure their homes and any property that may be outside, things like lawn chairs or pool supplies,” Jeppson said. “Go ahead and break out generators and make sure they are working properly.”

Director of Onslow County Emergency Services Norman Bryson also acknowledged the storm’s potential and urged people to be wary of any changes in the system.

A low pressure system brewing off the Florida coast has developed into the first named storm of the year — and is forecast to make the Fourth of July a wet one along the North Carolina coast, meteorologists say.

The storm is predicted by multiple models to travel north along the coast and possibly reach Eastern North Carolina by Thursday or Friday. But NOAA Meteorologist Brian Cullen cautions there is “a lot of uncertainty” with the system.

“Trends show the storm will come north in the middle of the week,” Cullen said. “We may see some impacts here in Eastern North Carolina Thursday or Friday.”

Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department Chief Gregg Jeppson has experience with emergency storm situations and advises people to pay attention to the latest forecast and prepare early for adverse weather.

“We are not sure of the current conditions of the storm right now, but we recommend people secure their homes and any property that may be outside, things like lawn chairs or pool supplies,” Jeppson said. “Go ahead and break out generators and make sure they are working properly.”

Director of Onslow County Emergency Services Norman Bryson also acknowledged the storm’s potential and urged people to be wary of any changes in the system.

“The biggest thing is people need to do right now is stay tuned to local media outlets or however else they receive their information,” Bryson said. “We are still in a monitoring phase and are watching the storm. So far, it’s pretty indefinite as to its effects and intensity. We know it may potentially be here later this week, but it’s too unclear to say exactly when and where the storm will affect.”

Bryson said once more information is available, emergency services will share what they know through various channels, such as Facebook, Twitter and media releases.